American variety show: The Godfather, the Peace Ambassador, what the heck?

Chapter 39 The Freeloaders

A Bonano family soldier nicknamed "Old Left" entered the restaurant with "Donnie," a henchman he had only recently taken in.

"When I introduce you to other people later, I'll say, 'You're a friend of mine,' which means you're my underling. If I change it to 'our friend,' it means you have more connections, understand?"

Downey, who had just "transferred" from the Colombo family, nodded: "Understood, my friend. Our friend."

He listened very attentively to these rules.

As an FBI agent, he used the alias "Downey" a few years ago and transformed himself into a jewelry merchant. He came to New York to "build his reputation" at the grassroots level and spent several years gaining initial recognition in the underworld. After that, he worked as a gofer for a partner of the Colombo family.

Until a few months ago, he was introduced to Old Zuo, a formal member of the Bonanno family.

Now he can barely be considered a junior partner.

Downey felt that infiltrating the Mafia was incredibly difficult. These Sicilians were too wary and almost distrusted outsiders. It was only because Old Zuo was loyal, valued friendship, and was desperately poor and short of money that Downey could get him some. Otherwise, becoming a partner would have been an impossible task.

—He, Downey, was the first undercover agent to infiltrate the Mafia!
Downey then asked, "So how should I address you when others do so?"

Old Zuo: "Don't fucking mention me."

Downey quietly added a characteristic of the old leftist: foul mouth.

Old Zuo expertly reached out his hand, "Did you bring any money? I have something urgent to do tomorrow, and I need it urgently."

Downey: "."

I want it even if I don't have the money!

Forget calling them the Mafia, let's just call them the "Hand-Taking Gang"!

The organization's funding is running out!

He took out his wallet, but Lao Zuo snatched it away and scolded him, saying that money shouldn't be stretched out but rolled up. After saying that, Lao Zuo rolled up his money and put it in his own pocket.

Downey felt a mix of frustration and relief, thankfully it was funding from the organization.

But Downey was very pleased at the thought of seeing the rest of the Bonanno family soon.

Those people are all criminals. Only by getting on good terms with them can you have a chance to obtain evidence of their crimes from them.

A moment later, Downey followed Old Zuo into the restaurant, where he met a man nicknamed "Black Sonny" and several other Mafia members.

“This is my friend, Downey,” Old Zuo introduced.

Upon hearing the word "friend," everyone understood that Downey was someone Old Zuo had vouched for, someone he was protecting.

Downey greeted these people in a friendly manner and got to know them one by one.

A family member enthusiastically introduced the restaurant, saying, "My wife saw it in Prada magazine. She said Japanese food is very popular and famous these days!"

The group of men were visiting a Japanese restaurant for the first time, and they curiously looked around at the unique decor and cultural customs.

Downey's expression immediately changed when he saw several guests taking off their shoes.

Do you have to take off your shoes before eating?
His bugging device was hidden inside his shoe!
Downey was extremely nervous. He had no idea beforehand that he would be eating Japanese food that night, nor did he know anything about the local customs.

What should I do?
Old Zuo had already taken off his shoes and sat on the tatami mat, while Donnie was in a dilemma. He put his hands in his pockets, struck a scoundrel pose, and his face seemed to say, "I'm not taking off my shoes, what can you do to me?"

"Sir, please take off your shoes," a Japanese waiter in a suit reminded Donnie with a smile in English.

"Are you kidding me?" Downey scoffed, arrogantly threatening the waiter. "Why are you taking off your shoes? What's this all about? Why don't you take your pants off?"

"This is the rule, it's a Japanese custom."

The waiter explained patiently, maintaining as much politeness as possible.

It's just taking off your shoes, it's not like you're going to run around naked. Do you have smelly feet? Are you too scared to take them off?
Old Zuo and Black Sunny, who were standing nearby, were also urging Donnie to take off his shoes.

“We’re here for dinner tonight,” Black Sonny said in a low voice, threatening Downey. “Either take it off, or we’ll cut off your feet.”

Downey's face darkened, and he quickly thought of a plausible excuse for himself:

"You want me to listen to that damned Japanese? My family was killed by the Japanese in Okinawa, almost ruining my family. Do you think I should listen to this Japanese bastard? No! I absolutely will not!"

The expressions of the mafia members changed slightly; they hadn't expected there to be this connection.
That makes sense, they're sworn enemies!

Although Sonny was domineering and tyrannical, he was protective of his own. He immediately put on his shoes and, with his brothers, threatened the waiter: "Listen, my friend here doesn't take off his shoes! It's his principle!"

"I'm afraid that won't work," the waiter insisted. "The restaurant has its rules, and everyone has to take their clothes off."

"And we're not taking our clothes off either!" Black Sonny said coldly. "Before I beat you up, lead us to our seats!"

Before the waiter could finish speaking, Sonny grabbed him by the collar and his brothers grabbed his arms, dragging him toward the restroom.

Upon witnessing this scene, Downey knew exactly what was going to happen next: these mafia members would beat the Japanese man up to vent their anger.

It's just so unreasonable.

He rushed into the restroom, where a group of burly men were punching and kicking the waiter, leaving him with a bloody head. Sonny even took off his shoes and handed them to Downey, saying, "Beat him up, beat him with those damn boots!"

Downey: "."

The older brother stood up for him and protected his dignity and face, so Downey certainly couldn't let his brother's good intentions go unappreciated.

In order not to reveal his identity, Downey had no choice but to bite the bullet and smash his boots on the waiter.

For the first time, he experienced the ruthlessness and brutality of the Mafia.

But there was also a stirring within him that he resisted. Mad was being bullied, and these mafia members were completely biased, siding with the victim and not the one in the right, and were extremely protective of their own. Yet, he was the one being protected.

After venting his anger, Lao Zuo patted Downey on the shoulder and said, "This is what happens when you offend us. If you ever run into an idiot like this who won't listen to reason, just tell me, and I'll stand up for you."

Sonny grinned maliciously and lightly punched Downey's chest twice. "Are you satisfied? These Japanese killed so many Americans back then, I remember that debt! The Mafia always retaliates in kind!"

Downey felt helpless and speechless. That was a story I made up! My entire identity was a fabrication.
The group swaggered out of the restroom, leaving behind a Japanese man who was beaten and covered in blood.

Because of this mess, the group lost their appetite and decided to find another place to meet. However, as soon as they entered the corridor, they were greeted by a group of Japanese samurai dressed in haori and hakama, each carrying a samurai sword.

The expressions of the mafia members changed. How come there were so many gangsters squatting in this run-down shop?

Is the reaction that fast?
The restaurant manager, who was in charge, sneered. Ever since the restaurant was vandalized last time, he had asked the gang for a lot of people and weapons to greatly strengthen the security measures in the restaurant, just to prevent anyone from causing trouble here.

Raise an army for a thousand days, use it for a while!
"How dare they cause trouble on Japanese territory! Take them down!" the manager yelled in Japanese, ordering his men to charge.

One group shouted "Baka!" while another group cursed "Mama Fak!" and exchanged polite greetings.

Just as tensions were about to rise, the door next to them was kicked open, and the outstretched foot struck a samurai.

"I told you not to use this kind of flimsy, paper-thin door; it'll break at the slightest touch."

Both groups were taken aback when they saw Luca suddenly appear.

"Pigeon?"

Old Zuo and Sonny shouted in unison. The two Mafia members, who had been around for many years, recognized Luca at a glance.

Luca was speechless. How did they suddenly start fighting? He was hoping to sit down and have a meal with these people, to connect and build some camaraderie.

In no time, Luca defeated several samurai, picked up a katana, and shouted, "Stop!"

The manager stormed up, looking furious, yelling, "Who the hell are you? Get out of my way and mind your own business!"

hum!
The katana was stuck in the floor in front of him, and the manager stopped abruptly, staring at Luca with a grim expression.

“If you haven’t heard of the nickname ‘Pigeon Luca,’” Luca teased, “then you must know the nickname ‘Butcher,’ right?”

The manager's face turned pale.

He had actually heard of both nicknames, but this was the first time he realized that they referred to the same person.

The manager was somewhat indignant, "I know your rules, but this isn't your territory! You have no right to interfere!"

"It's none of your business? You dare break my rules right in front of me? I'll give you five seconds to rephrase that!"

Luca said coldly, "Just eat in peace where you're eating! Do you want to continue doing business here, or close down tomorrow and have your wife and children come to collect your corpses? I can guarantee that by this time next year, your grave will be covered in cherry blossoms!"

In an instant, the surrounding warriors looked wary and all turned to the manager, wondering if they should continue.

I might not be able to beat the butcher!

Downey was deeply shocked by what he saw. This was Luca the Pigeon?

Seeing is believing! This guy is a million times more domineering than the police!
As a law enforcement officer, Downey not only felt the domineering attitude, but also inexplicably developed a bit of goodwill towards Luca. This feeling of being cared for was even stronger than when he had just beaten up the Japanese man in the bathroom.

Feeling a stirring in his heart, Downey's expression changed slightly. Damn it! He... had actually developed feelings for the Mafia so quickly?

Am I just born to be a gangster?

[Bond: Follow]

(End of this chapter)